Aviation News
The aviation world is a vast network of interesting information. Whether it is up-to-date news on the world’s last airworthy Vulcan, or a new arrival at one of our air museums, a change of date for an air show, cancellation, restoration etc, with your help we will keep you, the aviation public, kept up to date.
In this section of the website we invite you to pass on anything aviation based you are aware of that you think we or any viewers would find of interest. Feel free to email us any information, photos, a link to a website etc, if you want we can also credit you alongside the details.
New for 2013 -
Bruntingthorpe's Cold War Jets DVD, produced by the Simply Planes team to help raise funds to help with the upkeep of these fine aircraft.
Available on the day from the Lightning Preservation Group's shop, price £12.99.
Bruntingthorpe Cold War Jets
Sunday 26th May 2013 is the 1st taxi day at Bruntingthorpe this year. A chance to enjoy the sight and sounds of some of our classic jets from yesteryear while they carry out spectacular fast runs up Bruntingthorpe's long runway. See the Buccaneers, Lightnings, Canberra, Comet and Nimrod to name a few.
Hawker Hunter starting up at Bruntingthorpe Airfield. Image courtesy of Roger Whitcomb - Milairpix.com
The Eagle Squadron has landed
Sunday 26th May 2013 is Duxford's Spring Air Show and opening the show will be four aircraft, Hawker Hurricane AE977 G-CGTK, Supermarine Spitfire MkIa AR213 G-AIST, Republic P-47G Thunderbolt G-CDVX and P-51C Mustang Princess Elizabeth N487FS. This year IWM Duxford is commemorating the 70th anniversary of the American Air Force arriving at RAF Duxford during the Second World War.
Paul Bonhomme. Image courtesy of Imperial War Museum Duxford
No. 617 Squadron "the Dambusters" 70th anniversary
On 20th March 2013, 617 Squadron taxied out their special painted jet (Tornado ZA412) for the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters raid in 1943. ZA142 departed to RAF Coningsby flown by Squadron Leader Mark Jackson (pilot) and Squadron Leader Mark Still in the back seat, for the unveiling to be held at RAF Coningsby the following day.
Images courtesy of Bob Franklin
On 21st March 2013 the aircraft was unveiled by TV presenter and historian Dan Snow. The Tornado was parked adjacent to the Battle of Britain Flight's Lancaster for a photo shoot. Later in the afternoon, Dan Snow was taken for a flight in the Tornado and after landing the aircraft was refuelled before returning to RAF Lossiemouth to take part in further celebrations. During the next few weeks 617 Squadron will take part in several other events and flypasts.
Pictured above - Dan Snow. Image courtesy of John Bradshaw
Image courtesy of John Bradshaw
LF363 is 69 years old
Image courtesy of Philip Stevens - www.targeta.co.uk
On 1st January 2013 Hawker Hurricane LF363 was 69 years old. The aircraft first flew on 1st January 1944. LF363 was a founder of The Historic Aircraft Flight, the forerunner of the BBMF when it was formed in 1957.
Spitfires in Myanmar (Burma)
After many years of research and thousands of miles travelled, Lincolnshire farmer David Cundell has almost reached the end of a long 16 year journey. The last few years have seen David flying out to Burma to look for (buried treasure) namely WWII Spitfire aircraft. After spending thousands of pounds and interviewing people over the years the end is in sight. With the help of Prime Minister David Cameron, David has now the necessary permission to excavate some of the buried aircraft. The Spitfires are reputed to be Mk XIV aircraft with the Griffon engines. It has been suggested that the aircraft were shipped out to Burma in kit form with each part greased and wrapped in waterproof material and packed in tar-sealed boxes. Once excavated it is hoped that the parts will be in good condition enabling the aircraft to be brought back in a flyable condition.
Click here for further info and photos
Vulcan XH558 last flight of the season
Image courtesy of John Bradshaw
Vulcan XH558 made her last flight of the season on Saturday 29th September 2012 and overflew airfields with Vulcan connections including Coventry and Birmingham Airports, Cosford Air Museum, Bitteswell, Filton, St Athan, RAF Waddington and Scampton.
Nimrod XV249 unveiling at Cosford Air Museum
Image courtesy of John Bradshaw
Nimrod R1 XV249 was unveiled at Cosford Air Museum on 28th September 2012. The event was attended by Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burridge (Ret), Air Marshal Sir Kevin Leeson and RAF Museum Director General, Air Vice-Marshal Peter Dye and past and present 51 Sqn members who flew Nimrod R1s and other invited guests.
Lancaster PA474 new nose art
Lancaster PA474 has taken on a new identity. It is now marked up as Lancaster DV385 of 617 Squadron. The nose art features the (Thumper) cartoon which is a rabbit holding a pint of beer, and painted by Clive Denney of Vintage Fabrics ltd. Lancaster DV385 had a great operational record flying fifty operations.
Images courtesy of Bob Franklin
VC10 three-ship flypast
Image courtesy of John Bradshaw
On 28th August 2012 three VC10s OF 101 Squadron took off from RAF Brize Norton on refueling duties. On the way back to Brize Norton the aircraft carried out flypasts at several RAF bases including Lossiemouth, Leuchars, Cranwell, Coningsby and Marham.
Olympic tail art for Tornado ZA614
Image courtesy of John Bradshaw
Tornado GR4 ZA614 EB-Z 41R Sqn now sports new tail art celebrating the 2012 Olympics. A former Squadron Commander, Squadron Leader Don Finlay was a Olympic hurdler who won two medals.
Duxford Flying Legends Air Show Press Facility 2012 – Wednesday 27th June 2012
Three World War II Corsair pilots were on hand for photographs and interviews with the Fighter Collection's Corsair as a back drop. Also on show was the Sikorsky S-38 Flying Boat which was over from the USA for the Flying Legends Air Show, which put on some spirited flypasts for such an old aircraft. Other aircraft were also being made ready for this weekend's show.
Pictured left - Christopher Cartledge, Keith Quilter and Peter George standing in front of a Corsair
Images courtesy of John Bradshaw
No. 100 Squadron 95th anniversary celebrations - Saturday 9th June 2012
No. 100 Squadron 95th anniversary celebrations. Image courtesy of Geoffrey Lee - Planefocus Ltd via RAF Leeming
No. 100 Squadron from RAF Leeming in Yorkshire have just celebrated their 95th anniversary. Part of the celebrations included painting some of the squadron’s current aircraft in the paint scheme as worn by the squadron's Lancaster bombers during the Second World War.
Click on flyer for larger image
3 (Fighter) Squadron 100th Anniversary Commemorative Markings
No 3 (Fighter) Squadron has today (30th April 2012) released photographs of one of its Typhoon aircraft in a commemorative anniversary paint scheme.
The scheme has been applied to the aircraft to mark the 100th anniversary of the formation of the squadron at Larkhill on May 13th 1912.
The aircraft will be in day to day use undertaking normal operations, but it is planned for it to also attend several air shows during the summer months to allow aviation enthusiasts to see and photograph the aircraft at close quarters.
Wing Commander Dicky Patounas, Officer Commanding 3 (Fighter) Squadron said, “On behalf of the Squadron I would like to record my appreciation to SERCO at RAF Leuchars who painted the aircraft for us. I'd also like to thank our colleagues on 6 Squadron and all the other people who have helped to bring this project to fruition. It is a stunning piece of work. I hope many people get to see the aircraft in the months ahead, I’m sure they will be as impressed as I am”
The Squadron will celebrate their anniversary on the weekend of 12th/13th May with a programme of events, including the presentation of a new standard to the squadron.
Images Crown Copyright
Tornado GR4 ZA398 new tail art
Image courtesy of Peter R Foster
Tornado GR4 ZA398 now sports new tail art to celebrate the Squadron's 100th anniversary.
BBMF Chipmunk WK518 repaint
Image courtesy of Bob Franklin
Chipmunk WK518 from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has now been repainted in the paint scheme she wore when in service with the University of Hull. The aircraft was flown back to RAF Coningsby on 27th March 2012 by OC BBMF SQN LDR Ian Smith.
The Buccaneer Aviation Group unveils XW544
Saturday 24th March 2012 was a spectacular event at Bruntingthorpe in Leicestershire, namely the Buccaneer Day. The day started with the roll out of Buccaneer S2B XW544 painted in the colour scheme she wore when she served with 16 Squadron in 1979 at RAF Laarbruch in Germany. The Buccaneer Group’s members had worked for six months to bring the aircraft back into pristine condition, the culmination of this was when Flt Lt Ollie Suckling taxied the aircraft out of the mist down Bruntingthorpe’s long runway to the delight of the ever growing crowds. A well supported and organised event celebrating a much loved and popular aircraft.
Images courtesy of Roger Whitcomb - Milairpix.com
de Havilland Vampire WZ590 roll out at Duxford
Tuesday 13th March 2012 saw a four year restoration project come to fruition. de Havilland Vampire T.11 WZ590 was unveiled after members of the IWM Restoration Team spent several years working on it. The Vampire was completely stripped down and repairs carried out where necessary. As the aircraft was towed from the hangar a large crowd were watching including Duxford’s conservation team, invited guests, the media and former pilots and ground crew members. The Vampire, now one of Duxford’s newest exhibits will grace one of the hangars, and is finished in the paint scheme it wore when at No 5 Flying Training School at RAF Oakington.
Images courtesy of Chris Cannon
Al Murray visits Duxford – Thursday 1st September 2011
To mark the forthcoming Duxford Air Show weekend on the 3rd and 4th September, British comedian Al Murray better known as The Pub Landlord and also a presenter of historical documentaries visited The Imperial War Museum at Duxford. This was a special day for Duxford, not only could you hear the sound of Merlin engines above this World War II airfield (in this the 75th anniversary year of the Supermarine Spitfire) but the F1 Lotus Renault GB team were using Duxford’s runway for one of their test days.
Image courtesy of Chris Cannon
Celebrity Al who has been a regular visitor to Duxford for many years, was about to realise a childhood dream when he was taken flying in a two-seat Spitfire by John Romain from The Aircraft Restoration Company. Later in the day Al watched a practice display by the United States Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle, which will be joined by a host of other classic aircraft at the weekend.
VC10 XV105 Delivery at Bruntingthorpe – Tuesday 30th August 2011
On Tuesday 30th August 2011, VC10 XV105 made its final flight to Bruntingthorpe Airfield. This was the third VC10 to be withdrawn from service in the last few months. After carrying out an overshoot 105 carried out a visual circuit before touching down for the last time.
Images courtesy of John Bradshaw
Nimrod R1 XV249 last flight - Friday 29th July 2011
At precisely 11am on Friday 29th July, Nimrod R1 XV249 took off from its home base at RAF Waddington for the last time, after takeoff the aircraft turned and flew across Waddington’s runway before turning once again and carrying out one final flypast with loads of power with a final steep climb up through the clouds. This was the last ever Nimrod flight with XV249 being flown down to Kemble Airport to be dismantled and being moved by road to its new home at Cosford Air Museum.
Images courtesy of Ian Bracegirdle
Nimrod MR2 XV255 delivery at the City of Norwich Aviation Museum - Monday 24th May 2010
Nimrod MR2 XV255
Photo Denis J. Calvert Inter-Air Press
Norwich Museum took delivery of its latest exhibit, Nimrod MR2 XV255 on Monday 24th May 2010. The aircraft had flown down from its home base of Kinloss in Scotland. This aircraft has been allocated to Cosford Air Museum but due to the length of Cosford's runway, was reallocated to the city of Norwich Aviation Museum instead.
Nimrod XV232 delivery at Coventry - Tuesday 11th May 2010
Nimrod MR2 XV232 landed for the final time at Coventry Airport on 11th May 2010, touching down at 12:17 hours. The captain of the aircraft (Squadron Leader Roxborough) handed over the logbook to Mr Mike Collett, the Chairman of The Air Atlantique Classic Flight (www.classicflight.com). The Nimrod will be kept in taxiable condition by The Classic Flight and will be a major attraction at the newly opened 'Airbase' facility at Coventry West, along with a significant number of other historic aircraft, many of which are kept in flying condition. The Nimrod sits very well at Coventry, next to her predecessor, the Shackleton, the airframe of which is in the process of being brought back to taxiable condition.
These images were taken from a cherry picker on the apron at Coventry West; a cold and rather scary vantage point!
Nimrod XV226 delivery at Bruntingthorpe - Tuesday 27th April 2010
On Tuesday 27th April a small group of aviation enthusiasts and photographers eagerly awaited the arrival of Nimrod MR2 XV226. At 11:15 AM, the aircraft appeared from behind the trees in what was near perfect weather conditions. After carrying out a graceful run-and-break, 226 carried out a roller along Bruntingthorpe's runway, before touching down for the very last time. Having transited down from Scotland and saying a final farewell to Cottesmore on the way down, the Kinloss ground crew saw the aircraft in on one of Bruntingthorpe's dispersals. As her engines were shut down her new owner David Walton waited to greet the crew and receive the 700. XV226 will be kept in ground running condition and should be joining the Victor, Comet and Lightnings for fast taxi runs very soon.
Images courtesy of Denis J. Calvert Inter-Air Press
VC10 last flights at Bruntingthorpe - Tuesday 6th April 2010
History was made at Bruntingthorpe on 6th April 2010 when two 101 Sqn VC10s made their final flights. The aircraft XR807/Q and XV109/Z took off from RAF Brize Norton and did a final flypast before carrying out the short trip to Bruntingthorpe. The aircraft carried out a two-ship flypast, breaking left and right before making their final landings. Between them they have given over 80 years of service and over 80,000 hours. What a final example of British design and engineering in what is one of the most graceful of large aircraft ever built. Thirteen VC10 tanker aircraft continue to operate from RAF Brize Norton, with some of the aircraft expected to soldier on until 2014.
Images courtesy of Chris Cannon and Ian Bracegirdle
Victor XM715 Teasin Tina accidental take off – May 2009
Victor XM715 Teasin Tina accidental takeoff at Bruntingthorpe. Image courtesy of Wayne Willday
XM715, probably one of the most famous Victors now is kept in taxiable condition at Bruntingthorpe in Leicestershire, and in May 2009 made an unplanned short flight much to the delight of the aviation crowds watching.